ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Nordic Classicism

Okay kiddo, let me tell you about a style of architecture called Nordic classicism. This style was popular in the Nordic countries (that's Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, and Denmark) in the early 20th century, especially in the 1920s and 1930s.

So what does this style look like? Well, it combines elements of classicism (which is an ancient European style of architecture) with some of the traditional styles and materials of the Nordic region. That means you might see columns, symmetrical designs, and other features that remind you of ancient Greek and Roman buildings, but also things like wood, stone, and simple shapes that are typical of Nordic buildings.

One of the most famous examples of Nordic classicism is the Stockholm City Hall in Sweden. It was built in the 1920s and 1930s and features lots of classicist elements like columns and a grand staircase, but also showcases Swedish materials like red brick and granite.

Another example is the Finnish National Theatre in Helsinki, Finland. It was built in the 1900s and has a more subdued classicist style with a simple facade, dome, and grand entrance.

Overall, Nordic classicism is a way of combining old and new styles to create something unique and beautiful. So, just like how you might mix two colors of paint to make a new color, architects can mix two styles to create something completely different!